(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced the beginning of a project to upgrade the existing Pohatcong Lake spillway and dam structure located on Route 9 in Tuckerton Borough, Ocean County.

The dam, located across the Tuckerton River, and dam embankments are owned and maintained by NJDOT. The dam embankments support Route 9, which is heavily traveled during the summer months. The lake is owned and maintained by the borough, which is responsible for the operation of the primary and secondary spillways.

“The task of maintaining and improving our state’s transportation infrastructure is not limited to repairing bridges and resurfacing roadways,” said Commissioner James Simpson. “This important project will not only bring this important dam into compliance with NJDEP standards, but will provide safety improvements on adjacent Route 9.”

On Monday, April 4, NJDOT will begin daily shoulder closures and overnight single-lane closures on Route 9 in each direction between Great Bay Boulevard and South Green Street for utility relocations. Periodic day and nighttime traffic shifts will also be necessary, maintaining all available travel lanes on the highway.

NJDOT’s contractor, Marbro Inc., will begin initial dam reconstruction operations towards the end of the month. All travel lanes on Route 9 will be maintained during daytime hours.

The purpose of the $5.5 million project is to bring the dam up to the requirements of the Safe Dam Act, constructing a new spillway capable of handling water flow from a ‘100 year storm event’ without the dam overtopping. The new spillway will feature a gate to control low water level release. An additional, larger culvert will be constructed to supplement the existing one. To prevent dam failure during potential overtopping storm events, steel sheeting will be installed underground along the dam adjacent to Route 9 northbound.

The existing spillway and discharge culvert adjacent to the Stewart’s Root Beer shop will remain in place and be repaired, as requested by the Borough of Tuckerton. New NJDEP Fish, Game and Wildlife fish ladders will be installed in the dam.

Route 9 will be reconstructed and repaved along the entire length of the dam. The project is scheduled for completion in spring 2013.